Followers of the Kingdom Hearts titles are used to ready extraordinarily lengthy instances between mainline releases.
After Kingdom Hearts 2 on the PlayStation 2, the sequence veered into spinoff territory, with no correct sequel for your entire PS3 era. Lastly, in 2019, we bought the long-awaited conclusion to what we’d study was the Darkish Seeker Saga. Nevertheless, in typical Kingdom Hearts style, the top of the saga was not at all the top of the story for Sora, Riku, Kairi, and all their Disney and Ultimate Fantasy mates. A secret ending, boss, and DLC all pointed towards a brand new period on the horizon. The one query was how lengthy it will take till we noticed what it will be.
For Kingdom Hearts’ twentieth anniversary occasion, followers had been handled to one thing most didn’t anticipate to see so quickly: a full reveal of Kingdom Hearts 4. Lots continues to be hidden in darkness, however that is all the knowledge we may shine a lightweight on.
Launch date hypothesis
Sq. Enix
The large downer for the reveal of Kingdom Hearts 4 is that no launch date was given. There’s not even a window of what yr Sq. Enix thinks this title is likely to be prepared. Nevertheless, we are able to speculate a bit. In our hearts, we don’t see this sport popping out earlier than 2025. On one hand, we do see what seems to be actual (although clearly early) gameplay within the trailer. Alternatively, there are experiences that the sport is at the moment utilizing Unreal Engine 4, however is planning on switching to Unreal Engine 5. Whereas that switch is supposedly not too troublesome, it’s going to most likely take a while and create some setbacks within the course of. Both approach, it wouldn’t be the primary time we bought a trailer approach, approach prematurely of a Kingdom Hearts sport truly popping out.
The at the moment deliberate launch window for Kingdom Hearts 4 is in 2026.
It’s data I discussed earlier than, however this title seems completely different now than it did when it was revealed. However it isn’t dangerous.
Extra data on the way forward for the sequence will likely be revealed at a later date. pic.twitter.com/1Ly6zS6CWp
— みどり (@MbKKssTBhz5) June 8, 2024
Whereas it’s technically only a rumor, dependable leaker Midori posted on X that the deliberate launch window for Kingdom Hearts 4 is 2026. In addition they state that extra data will likely be shared later, however that goes with out saying.
Platforms
There are not any platforms introduced for Kingdom Hearts 4 but. The Kingdom Hearts sequence has historically been PlayStation solely, however Kingdom Hearts 3 launched on each Xbox One and PS4 and got here to Change and PC later. Previous video games within the sequence have additionally not too long ago been ported to Xbox and PC, and it looks like the purpose of bringing your entire sequence to those new platforms was to construct up these audiences for a brand new Kingdom Hearts 4. We gained’t know for positive till later, however we expect this might simply come to all platforms — possibly even the Change 2 — concurrently or near it.
Trailer
KINGDOM HEARTS twentieth 発表トレーラー
The announcement trailer from the twentieth anniversary occasion in Japan is, to this point, all now we have when it comes to footage. Even so, there’s fairly a little bit of fascinating stuff packed on this brief teaser on the finish of a sequence of trailers.
As soon as we get to the Kingdom Hearts 4 part, we open with the direct message of this being The Misplaced Grasp Arc. We see some breathtaking photographs of the identical modern-day metropolis, closely impressed by Tokyo, which we noticed briefly within the secret ending of Kingdom Hearts 3, which we study is known as Quadratum. A voiceover, which is difficult to position as acquainted because of it being in Japanese, talks in typical cryptic Kingdom Hearts model. Apparently speaking to Sora, the voice advises him to go away that world if he’s too filled with despair. In the meantime, an enormous darkish mass varieties within the sky earlier than we reduce to extra textual content stating: “The guts resides inside the soul, which in flip is guided by destiny to its rightful place.”
New footage of one other amazingly realized forest location, with a waterfall and river, is proven. We reduce to Sora for the primary time, asleep on a sofa, sporting a brand new outfit. He opens his door to a mysterious red-haired lady named Strelitzia (apparently an essential character in Kingdom Hearts Union Cross) who fills him in on the truth that he’s been sleeping for a full week since he appeared in that world. She describes the world as one thing like an “after world” for folks like them, maybe implying that she isn’t from Quadratum both. Throughout an interview with Famitsu, Tetsuya Nomura commented on what this new world was stating. “From Sora’s perspective, Quadratum is an underworld, a fictional world that’s completely different from actuality. However from the viewpoint of the inhabitants on the Quadratum aspect, the world of Quadratum is actuality, and the world the place Sora and the others are is the opposite aspect, the fictional world. I believe the theme of this mission would be the distinction between those that are in such completely different positions.” This appears to be pointing in direction of the truth that this world was seen in Kingdom Hearts 3 because the fictional location of a pretend sport contained in the Toy Story world known as Verum Rex.
The black mass from earlier than returns, now forming right into a extra disfigured model of one thing just like the Darkside enemy from previous video games, terrorizing the folks on the road and lifting vehicles with darkish powers. Sora, the hero at coronary heart that he’s, rushes in to do battle, summoning his iconic Keyblade.
Because the battle involves an finish, the voiceover continues and we see two cloaked figures sporting the identical black coats as Group XIII as soon as did. He finishes by saying that if Sora decides to go away that world, he shouldn’t anticipate to return to the one he got here from.
After the title drop, we get a tiny bit extra footage of Donald and Goofy wandering round a pitch-black surroundings in search of somebody solely known as “he” that they hope may help them. A blue flame sparks behind them, catching their consideration, earlier than a voice asks the place they assume they’re going. The pair seem frightened already, however freak out after turning round and the blue fireplace erupts right into a crimson blaze.
The ultimate phrases to cap all of it off are, “Magic within the Making.”
By way of story, nicely, issues are sophisticated. To begin off, the title of this new arc, The Misplaced Grasp Arc, most likely refers to a personality generally known as The Grasp of Masters, who was a Keyblade Grasp from Kingdom Hearts X. He wrote one thing known as the E book of Prophecies and solely confirmed up within the mainline video games through the ending of Kingdom Hearts III in a cloak. How this performs into, nicely, something is past our data.
Contemplating Kairi’s destiny on the finish of Kingdom Hearts 3 and Sora’s on the finish of the Re:Thoughts DLC, it’s clear that the rationale Sora is in Quadratum, no less than initially, is to reunite as soon as once more with Kairi. Clearly, issues gained’t go to plan, although. All we are able to hope, for now, is that this new arc can reduce down on the overly complicated nature the primary arc had — no less than a bit of bit.
As for Donald and Goofy, all indicators level to them both in search of, or no less than unintentionally encountering, Hades. The blue flame appears like a lifeless giveaway, regardless of us not being acquainted with the Japanese voice. Why they might be in search of him, or in search of somebody within the underworld, might be something. Hades has proven to be tied in with the sequence’ largest dangerous guys in a approach the opposite Disney villains aren’t, and we’ve by no means thwarted him for good, so he’s a stable choose to deliver again.
Nomura had extra to say on what the pair are doing, plus commented on Sora’s new design as nicely. “Donald and Goofy are in search of clues about Sora within the unique world,” he defined. “All the actual worlds earlier than the title show [in the trailer] are all Quadratum segments and Sora will look lifelike, but when he can return to the unique world, he’ll appear to be Donald and Goofy with shaders like Donald and Goofy.” That is all per how Sora and crew’s appearances change to mirror no matter world they’re in all through the sequence.
Gameplay
Sq. Enix
A good bit of the trailer was no less than made to appear to be gameplay, although it may be a bit of onerous to imagine primarily based on how good it appeared. On the very least, we anticipate loads of modifications between this and the ultimate product, but it surely’s secure to say massive issues are coming.
As suspected, Normura has said that the house in Quadratum we discover Sora resting in will likely be this sport’s hub of kinds, no less than for the start portion of the sport. This space shouldn’t be in Shibuya itself, however in one other a part of town known as Minami-Aoyama.
First, the slow-motion model of motion from Dream Drop Distance and Kingdom Hearts III is again, however smoother than ever. Sora leaps, spins, slides, and even makes use of his Keyblade as a grappling hook to seamlessly glide across the metropolis surroundings. Quicktime occasions, or response instructions could also be, appear to be coming again. We see Sora counter the large heartless’s punch by reworking his Keyblade right into a drill, hinting that type modifications will even be coming again, earlier than launching it like a missile.
Sadly, we don’t get to see the top of the battle, however the scale and spectacle look past something we’ve seen but.
The UI can also be on display screen, however seems an identical to the Kingdom Hearts 2 model, main us to imagine it’s a placeholder for now. Sadly, we are able to’t learn any of the textual content on the UI, so if there may be something thrilling there, sorry.
Additionally, moreover Quadratum, the one different world we see is that forest space. Eagle-eyed viewers observed one unusual element in a shot of the river that appears rather a lot just like the foot of an AT-AT, the mechanical strolling tanks from the Star Wars sequence. This is able to be the primary time the Kingdom Hearts sequence has crossed over with that franchise, however contemplating it’s a Disney property, is totally doable. Once more, that’s pure hypothesis — no worlds exterior Quadratum are confirmed, but it surely’s doable Sora may get his first lightsaber Keyblade. You possibly can decide for your self by trying on the high proper of the above screenshot.
Preorder
Sq. Enix
We’re years off from Kingdom Hearts 4 gracing our screens and hearts. Although it pains us to say it, there gained’t be any information on the right way to preorder Kingdom Hearts 4 for fairly some time. Based mostly on previous video games, although, you have to be trying ahead to any particular editions which are introduced. In the event that they sustain with previous particular editions, there will likely be some superior goodies included that any main Kingdom Hearts fan will need. As soon as they do present up, we’ll let all of the preorder particulars right here.
